Opportunity East helping residents’ transition into further study or find employment

A CITY of Greater Geelong project is creating more chances for residents to gain the confidence and skills they need to re-enter the workforce.
Opportunity East is an Education to Employment project, funded by Skilling the Bay and led by the City of Greater Geelong, that is part of the Whittington Works Alliance.
It supports people through reskilling, retraining and rebuilding their confidence so they are best placed to access future opportunities.
Through supportive, safe and subsidised programs, Opportunity East helps residents’ transition into further study or to find employment in their chosen field, with the support of regional employers.
Whittington’s Alana Arbuthnot is currently undertaking Opportunity East’s Certificate II in Production Horticulture course.
The 46-year-old has largely been out of the workforce for 15 years, as she focused on caring for her three children, including two who have a disability.
A return to her former career was not an option, with her cinema projectionist role made redundant due to advances in technology.
Mrs Arbuthnot was looking to build on her one day per week casual work in IT when she discovered the Production Horticulture course.
“Now that my kids are at an age where I can have some more time for myself, I’m very keen to learn some new skills to get back into the workforce,” she said.
“We’re here with our hands in the soil… I think we are learning practical skills that will help me find employment at the end of it.”
The course caters for people with family commitments, finishing at 3pm on both days of the program, which are run at Encompass’ The Paddock and the Leopold Community Hub.
With class sizes capped, the program aims to foster an encouraging and understanding atmosphere among the 11 participants, who reside from Whittington through to Indented Head.
“It’s a very supportive environment, both from the participants and the trainers,” Mrs Arbuthnot said.
“I love that I’m here and being supported to do something for me.”
Opportunity East will in coming months introduce the ‘Road Ready’ traffic management program with GO Traffic.
An Introduction to Community Services course, with Cloverdale Community Centre, Gordon TAFE and Springdale Neighbourhood Centre, will also soon be offered.
Residents also have access to the Jobs Victoria Employment Network, which provides personal mentoring to jobseekers who face barriers to re-entering the workforce.
This service is delivered by Bethany Community Support at Bellarine Living and Learning Centre at Whittington.